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Whether you’re trying to enter the workplace for the first time or want to get a new position in your field, you’re going to need a sharp resume. Although potential employers will assess you on more than one piece of paper, your resume is a great way to get your foot in the door for an interview.

That said, it’s easy to be overwhelmed when you’re putting a resume together. Here are four easy tips for how to write a resume.

1. Make it legible
It’s usually a good idea to stay on the basic end of things. Try a sans-serif font such as Calibri, or a standard one like Times New Roman. The most important thing is that you select a font that won’t distract the reader from the content on the page.

2. Organize carefully
There are two common ways to organize your resume. The majority of resumes follow a reverse chronological order, so list your most recent job first. This organization is beneficial because it shows employers you’ve been hired consecutively by organizations. If you’re in a field that requires a resume more similar in structure to a portfolio, you can organize items on your resume by their relevance to the job you’re applying for or by highest to lowest quality. Either way, be sure that your resume tells your professional story in a way that gives you well-deserved recognition.

3. Focus on the key information
The most important things on your resume will probably be your level of education coupled with the relevant experience you’ve had in your field. Make sure both of these pieces of information (especially the relevant work experience) are the primary features of the page. If you’re a recent graduate or have been awarded a high-level degree, your education should be near the top. Do a little research to find out whether the positions you’re applying for require you to list your GPA as well.

4. Don’t waste space
While it is nice to know what you do as a hobby or what type of volunteer work you’ve completed, resumes should be focused on giving potential employers tangible reasons to hire you. Although it was probably a positive experience, listing your two-year stint as a Scout in primary school probably won’t impact your performance in a job today. Do your best to remove any fluff from your resume.

It can be a nerve-wrecking prospect to think about your impending job interview. What will you say? How will you dress? These are all questions you may run through your mind before ever meeting the prospective employer. But while interviews can be intimidating, they don’t have to be feared – especially if you come equipped with the right knowledge. So let’s look at three tips that can help you place the job you want in the palm of your hands.

Tip #1: Conduct Practice Q&A SessionsBefore you ever set foot on the property of your prospective employer, it is important that you mentally prepare for the challenge. Being that you’ve never interviewed before, it may seem impossible to prepare for the unknown. But luckily for you, there are bound to be some individuals in your life who have been on job interviews. So give them a job of helping you prepare.

A good way to start your preparation is by first conducting some research on the company you are attracted in working for. After you’ve learned the company’s overall mission, what they look for in employees, and most importantly, what they want in the hiring position, you can give this information to your helper. Then he or she can compose interview questions, have you show up for the mock interview in full attire, and ask the questions so that you can begin to feel comfortable with the process.

Tip #2: Dress for SuccessThis is probably one of the more important aspects of interviewing for any position, no matter how casual you think it might be. The prospective employer wants to confirm how serious you are about the job, something that is partially accomplished by dressing up in business attire for the interview.

While this may seem to be common sense to some, there are many newcomers to the world of interviewing who show up wearing khaki pants or low-cut tops. So if you already knew that wearing a business suit is the way to go, good job. But if you were just about to walk out of the door in your T-shirt and khakis, you may want to go change your clothes.

Tip #3: Speak from the HeartStarting off in your practice Q&A session, and eventually transitioning into your actual interview, it is important that you place personal value on your decision to apply for the job. If you go into the interview thinking that you won’t like the job, the interviewer might sense the apprehension and pass you up for the position. However, if you come in genuinely excited about the position, it will be much easier for you to find the right words to express that enthusiasm.

If you follow these three tips, you’ll be that much closer to securing the job of your dreams. So practice with your Q&A session, go buy a suit that makes you feel comfortable, and go to the interview with great passion. You’ll see that your budding confidence in your interviewing skills will skyrocket in time for your very first interview.

Employed but interested in knowing the available career opportunities out there? Even when you’re not too keen on looking for a new job right now, it still pays to be updated on job market developments in your field. So what should you do to keep yourself on hirers ‘radars and be discovered for available jobs?
Because it’s good practice to stay updated and open for chances, we’ve decided to put together this helpful guide to keep yourself visible for great job opportunities. Follow our tips below and get your name in the spotlight!
1. Join networking opportunities that come your way
There are a ton of ways to get your name out there, and networking is the best way to go about it. Thanks to the internet, it’s easy to find events and organizations that’ll help you meet and greet the industry movers in your chosen industries. You can even get in touch with these people, or with like-minded folk who can connect you to opportunities by joining online forums or social media groups. Just remember to present yourself well, mind your manners, and be friendly! Kind words and a sincere smile will go a long way in these settings.

2. Hone your skills and keep them fresh
You say you want to be attractive to hirers and headhunters – the best way to get noticed is to have the most sought-after skills in the job market. Enrolling in classes, whether for full degrees or short courses, is one. You can also learn on your own by reading books, going online, or by joining workshops. You should take any chance to help you develop your skills, not just for the career opportunities it opens you up to, but do it also for your self-fulfillment and personal growth.

3. Keep abreast on industry and job market news
Interested in climbing up your industry’s corporate ladder? You need to be on the lookout for the trends and happenings in your chosen field. Preparation is the key to success in life, and the same rule applies here. Keep an eye out for movements in the industry or job market so you can plan out your strategy and stay ahead of the competition. The internet is a great venue for this, but traditional media like print publications and broadcast news are valuable sources too.

4. Go beyond expectations at work
You don’t even have to go far to start your quest. By doing your work right and exceeding expectations at your job, you’re already sending out the right signals that perhaps you’re due for great things in your career. Make it a point to deliver what is asked of you, and even go the extra mile if you can. Your higher ups will appreciate your effort and would keep in handy during evaluation time. Translation: You might find yourself getting promoted, or perhaps earn rave reviews and recommendations!

5. Keep your profile open and updated
Whether you’re happily content with your current job, or on the lookout for a new one, it always pays to keep your online profile updated. The same rule applies too for your physical resume and social media profiles. It signals to hirers that you are ready and open to new career opportunities. What’s great about keeping your profile fresh on our site is that we’ve configured our system to show potential employers the latest and newly-updated profiles first, so that every candidate, whether monitoring, active or passive, are easier to spot. Remember also to keep your profiles open or searchable, and update your contact details so that you can be easily contacted by recruiters.

Surviving the job market takes more than doing good work. Having the right skills, experience and connections will open you up to so many wonderful job opportunities. Add to that a great personality, confidence and guts to actually go out there, and you’ll see a fruitful and fulfilling career path waiting for you to explore. Good luck!

The cover letter attached to your resume is your first self-introduction to the hiring manager of your desire company. So make it great.

Cover letters provide you a chance to draw the attention of your prospective employers and demonstrate the qualities that stand you out from the rest of the candidates. Your cover letter should complement your resume by highlighting the most relevant aspects relating to the position. If you are not sure of the qualities or skills required, try to work out what they are likely to be or consider a similar position you have seen elsewhere.

Before you hit the “send” button, have a look at these checklist items to ensure your cover letter is good to go.

Cover Letter Checklist

LengthOne A4 page, well-spaced, text aligned to both left and right.

LanguageBe clear and concise. Use strong verbs which demonstrate action and accomplishments, such as “organize” and “supervise”.

Name, Title and AddressFind out the details of the contact person (including all spelling) in the organization and address your letter accordingly. Don’t forget to include your address, phone number and email.

LayoutState clearly the position you’re applying for in the introduction. Commence with the reference number, followed by your reason for applying and a summary of your unique skills/qualifications.

SubstanceIdentify your skills, experience and attributes that match what the employer wants. Look for keywords in the advertisement and address the main elements. For example, the advertisement might say: “This position requires an outgoing person with demonstrated capacity to work in a team”. The keywords here are “outgoing”, “demonstrated” and “team”. Show you meet these essential criteria to increase your chances of an interview.

ProofreadingEssentially you need to stand out from the rest, but not by misspelling the company’s name! So proofread, and proofread again!

Unique Selling Point (or USP) is a marketing idea developed to benefit people in business improve their sales. As a job seeker, you also have something to sell: YOURSELF!

These five tips will help you to improve your CV by using your USPs and help you get an interview.

1) What does the employer want?
When reading, a job advert you should work out what your audience (i.e. the employers) are looking for. Read the

Job title

Advert content

Person specification

These will show the qualifications, experience and skills that the employers need. How does your career history fit these requirements?

2) Get your message out there
This is significant. You might be a brilliant candidate, but if the key people do not know that you are available then you will lose out.
How to let employers know you’re looking for work:

Apply directly for jobs advertised on websites

Networking: catch up with your supervisor, colleagues, academic contacts and let them all know you’re on the job market

3) Respond to feedback
If you’ve been job hunting for a while, you might have had a few interviews already. Even if you fail you can still get feedback on your performance. This feedback can be used to improve your chances of getting a job in the future. Either change your CV to make it more attractive or improve your interview skills

4) Know your competition
Job hunting, just like selling, is a competition. If you are constantly knocked back then perhaps you need to learn from your competition on how they succeed when you have not.

So, share job hunting techniques with your peers. Speak to people in your field who have been recently employed. But don’t give too much away to people who will be applying for the same jobs as you!

5) Eliminate weaknesses
If you know that the profile you present to employers is weak in some way, work hard to improve it.

Landing the perfect new job is always challenging, so it’s not surprising that candidates scour the internet for hints and tips. But we no longer need to be told to proof read CVs and write a cover letter for every application; we’ve heard that advice hundreds of times before. Implementing some lesser-known tactics into your job search, however, can help you gain an advantage over the competition. The following job hunting tips aren’t so well publicized and could help you secure an attractive job offer.

It’s a numbers game

In today’s jobs market, employers have plenty of candidates to choose from and they often receive hundreds of applications per vacancy. So, the odds of applying for just one job and securing it are slim to none. Applying for several jobs at once, and getting your CV in front of as many hiring managers as possible, will maximize your chances. You still need to be selective about the roles you apply for, but scout out as many suitable opportunities as you can. Set a daily or weekly application goal, track the openings, and make timely follow-ups.

Always modify your CV

Sending a tailored covering letter is a well-known job hunting tip, but are you doing this with your CV? Relevance is crucial when applying for any job. Your CV is most likely targeted towards one profession or industry, but no two jobs will be equivalent.

Whenever you apply for a role, take a few minutes to check your CV against the job advert and look for any potential improvements you can make. For example, if you are hiding a crucial qualification at the bottom of your CV, move it to the top and make it prominent. Tailoring your CV for every application may take a little more effort, but it’s better use of time than making 10 generic applications that may not attract the attention you need.

Don’t rely solely on job websites

Job websites are obviously a great source of vacancies and should feature in your job search. But the adverts on major job sites receive extremely high volumes of applications, meaning your CV can often get lost among them.

Online networks are a great alternative to job sites. Millions of recruiters actively search for candidates on LinkedIn, so you can’t afford not to have a presence on there. As well as connecting with prospective employers on the professional networking site, you can obtain recommendations from previous managers, giving recruiters the confidence to trust you.

Tracking down potential employers and sending speculative applications is a great way to sidestep the crowded job boards. This method requires perseverance because not every company you approach will be hiring. But it only takes one successful approach to land an interview.

It is also worth getting on the radar of reputable recruiters in your industry, as you never know when they might have a suitable opportunity.

Pick up the phone

In the digital age, it can sometimes seem a little old fashioned to approach a recruiter by telephone, but it’s still an effective method. If you’ve made an application online and haven’t had a reply in a few days, don’t be afraid to pick up the phone. A friendly follow-up call with the recruiter will allow you to draw attention to your CV, and begin to build a relationship with them. It’s not always easy to find direct line telephone numbers, but a search on LinkedIn or the company website is a good way to start.

When an employer recruits, they want a proven performer who can hit the ground running and add new value to the business. For you to stand out in the market, it is important to consolidate the skills and experience you have. Show potential employers you are a tried and experienced candidate.

If you are a graduate, professional work experience completed during your study is a huge benefit that for you to stand out from the crowd. Even a few weeks completed during semester break gives you an advantage over fellow graduates who have not taken the initiative to gain relevant experience.

Top five tips to stand out

1. Write an impressive CV

A good CV makes a good first impression. Use a common program, such as MS Office Word, and start with your contact details. List your education and qualifications and then your work experience in reverse chronological order, beginning with the most recent. If you have your own website profiling your work, include the URL, but do not submit it instead of a resume. Take time to proofread your CV and avoid any spelling or grammar mistakes.

2. Present yourself

Highlight one or two exclusive selling points to differentiate yourself in your CV and in an interview, and be sure to support them with relevant examples and information. For example, were you one of the highest achievers in your university degree?

3. Experience

Nothing is more important for a job seeker than having relevant experience. For seasoned professionals, this means matching your existing skills and experience with the job requirements. For graduates, this means gaining relevant industry experience through volunteer work or a study placement.

4. Use your networks

Contact a recruitment agency, search job websites, use social media and communicate with your networks, industry bodies and university alumni.

5. Develop new skills

Stay on top of industry trends as a proof to an employer that as their industry and business moves forward, you are moving forward with it.